SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF DISCARD SPECIES IN NORTHERN AEGEAN TRAWLING
Project no. 1055 · Status: Kapanmış · 2018
Summary
In this study it was aimed to determine the distribution of demersal fish abundance and by-catch characteristics of trawl fishery in Aegean Sea. Research was conducted by 2 trawlers and 1200 meshes trawl net. Furthermore sampling period was completed in 1 years with seasonal sea trials. At the result of the study 27 trawl hauls, corresponding to 65.1 hours (3901 minutes) (Fall 1405 minutes, Winter 1040 minutes, Spring 416 minutes, Summer 1040 minutes) were performed and totally 1.71 mile2 ((2749326.8 m2) area was dredged. Regarding the trawling time, it was found that 36.0% of total time was composed by Fall season samplings, 26.7% Winter season, 10.6% Spring season and 26.7% Summer season. While 7 of the trawl hauls were performed in Fall season, 10 were realized in Winter season, 5 were realized Spring season and Summer season respectively. Nevertheless 2.9 tons of total catch was captured and 82.2% of this amount was marketed. Meanwhile it was determined that 17.8% of the catch was discarded. 36.7% of the commercial catch was obtained in Fall, 37.1% in Winter, 8.4% in Spring and 17.8% in Summer. Furthermore majority of the discarded catch was captured in Fall with 25.2%, 27.2% in Winter, 1.3% in Spring and finally 46.3% in Summer. At the end of the study, it was found that 23 species were marketed while 73 species were discarded.